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The Bowman and Tactical Communications & Information
Systems Integrated Project Team (BATCIS IPT) is responsible for the
through life management of a range of tactical CIS equipments and
systems used in the Land environment, including the associated
amphibious and air manoeuvre components.
The main systems managed include Bowman, the Common Battlefield
Applications Toolset (ComBAT), Infrastructure and Platform Battlefield
Information Systems Application (P-BISA), collectively known as CIP,
the Personal Role Radio, ARRC C2IS, MAKEFAST and Clansman. PROJECTS SUPPORTED
DIGITISATION STAGE 1 (DS1)
is focused at Brigade Headquarters level, but extending from
Battlegroup Headquarters (HQ) to HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. DS1,
the first increment of digitisation of CBM(L), delivers an interim
enhancement to operational capability by integrating existing
infrastructure and a number of information systems applications.
THE PERSONAL ROLE RADIO
is a short-range radio designed to facilitate communications between
the members of a dismounted close combat infantry section. PRR is used
extensively for non-core infantry tasks i.e. base defence, static
observation points and intra-vehicle (for convoy control)
communications. It works with Clansman and Bowman man-portable radios,
enabling section commanders to pass information from the platoon radio
‘net’ to the section and vice-versa.
BOWMAN
will meet the tactical communications needs of those elements of the
three Armed Services that take part in, or provide direct support to,
UK land, amphibious and air manoeuvre operations until at least 2026.
From 2008, it replaces the Clansman combat radio system with a secure
digital voice and data communications service, including situational
awareness capability.
Full CBM(L) will
be further developed to incorporate future battlefield information
systems (BISAs) will be integrated.
MAKEFAST a
specialist software application, will support the combat engineer role
throughout the battlefield, from bridge building through minefield
planning to demolition work.
ARRC C2IS is
being developed to improve the operational effectiveness of HQ ARRCs
current Command Information System (CIS) and will interface with a
wide range of information systems within the NATO environments.
DIGITISATION STAGE
1
Digitization Stage 1 (DS1) is the term used to
describe the collection of projects that together contribute to
an initial digitization capability before the introduction of the
Command and Battlespace Management (Land) initiative. The
main capability sought is an interim Battle (field) Management System
(BMS) to assist the command and control within Headquarters Allied
Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC).
DS1 comprises
various projects:
GP3 is a Battlefield
Management System that provides command and control support, including
the capability to display situational awareness information locally
and between HQs.
AP3 is a personnel tracking application. This application
is being used as the OPLOC tracking system in Kosovo, Afghanistan
and Op TELIC. Hardware, infrastructure and software in the form of the Army Tactical
Command System (ATacCS).
COHERENCE WITH FUTURE
DIGITISATION
DS1 needs to be coherent with the Common Battlefield Application
Toolset (ComBAT), DBL Infrastructure (I) and armoured Platform Battlefield
Information System Application (P BISA), commonly known as “CIP”,
DS2 and ARRC C2IS.
CAPABILITY TO BE
REPLACED
The current battlefield command and control capability relies largely
on manual processes including the use of hand-written logs, mapboards
and hand-drawn overlays. There is only very limited Communication
Information Systems (CIS) support in the form of ATacCS and at HQ
ARRC level, OBIS. These provide Office Automation, and email
connectivity both inside and between deployable Formation HQs and
external connectivity to joint and multinational environments and
host AP3.
PROJECT HISTORY
DS1 projects have a turbulent acquisition history, in particular
connected with GP3. Release 3.1 of GP3 gave sufficient confidence
to allow Initial Gate approval in Jan 02. This approval included
provision for two major trials, at Brigade and Corps level, and
to develop GP3 to Release 4 so that it conformed to the latest NATO
standards in mapping and symbology. The trials concluded the
most cost-effective solution was to deploy it as an HQ ARRC capability
only.
CURRENT STATUS
BAE Future Systems is leading a “partnership” with EDS, BAE CDI
and AMS which provides future support for DS1.
COSTS
Whole Life Cost £18M
IN-SERVICE
DATE (ISD)
ISD was declared 28 Nov 02 when the military capability
provided by the system was assessed as available for operational
use (in its minimum useful deployable form, defined as the use of
GP3 within HQ ARRC’s Main Command Posts and Digital detachments).
OPERATIONAL READINESS
- In Service
MAJOR MILESTONES
BAE contract signed - October 2002
EX ARRCADE fusion -
November 2002
COMMERCIAL ASPECTS
Industry has formed a Partnership and agreed that BAE Future Systems
will be the Prime contractor responsible for contracting with EDS,
BAE CDI and AMS.
PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
The scope for public/private partnership within the DS1 programme
is considered very limited.
BOWMAN
Bowman will meet
the tactical communications needs of those elements of the three
Armed Services that take part in, or provide direct support to, UK
land, amphibious and air manoeuvre operations until at least 2026.
It will provide a
secure digital voice and data communications service, including
situational awareness capability.
The Bowman programme includes:
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Development and supply of equipment
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Software integration
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Development of designs to install the
equipment into military vehicles, aircraft and ships,
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Conversion of those vehicles, aircraft
and ships to operate Bowman
-
Training operators, managers and
maintainers
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Logistic support
The initial CBM(L)
capability will be introduced with Bowman to provide a core battle
management system. It will enable the battlefield information systems
being developed for armoured fighting vehicles, artillery fire
control, ground based air defence, to exploit Bowman’s data messaging
capability concurrently, as well as addressing wider interoperability
issues with our allies.
Project History
The Bowman Supply and Support contract was awarded to General Dynamics
United Kingdom Ltd (GD UK) on 13 September 2001. A review of the
combined Bowman and CIP programmes was undertaken in late 2004 and
this provided the opportunity to better ensure that they would deliver
a capability consistent with the MOD’s vision of achieving Network
Enabled Capability. A Review Note was approved on 6 July 2006 and
formal offer of contract for the ‘Recast’ programme was accepted by
the prime contractor.
Current Status
Bowman continues to progress, with MOD, GD UK and its sub-contractors
working to achieve the next milestone. Work on identifying the
requirements for the next capability release is well underway with a
BCIP6 Validation Phase. BCIP 6 will be the subject of a Main Gate
submission in 2008 and
if approved, it will include essential maintenance upgrades, closure
of traded user requirements and implementing new technology to deliver
enhanced capabilities.
Costs
The procurement cost of the supply and (initial) support phase for
Bowman is approximately £2.04 billion (this does not include the cost
of assessment).
In-Service Date (ISD)
Bowman achieved its ISD, with provisos, on 26 March 2004. It is
envisaged that all of the remaining Bowman provisos will be cleared
pending a successful Operational Field Trial (OFT) in Oct 07 and A&R10
in Dec 07.
Operational Readiness
Since initial deployment of 12 Mechanized Brigade to Iraq in April
2005, Bowman (BCIP4.f) has been employed on Operations TELIC and
HERRICK. Other brigades have been converted and continued operational
experience indicates that Bowman is delivering a battle winning
capability.
Major Milestones
In Service Date – 26 March 2004 (achieved)
The System Release Test ran from September-December 2006.
7,000 platforms converted by 31 December 2006
Operational Field Trial 3 – October 2007
Conversion to BCIP4.f complete – Q4 2007/Q1 2008
Fielding of BCIP5 is expected to take place from Q1 2008 for 18
months.
Quantities
As well as being man-portable, Bowman equipment will be fitted to:
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most military
vehicles from Land Rover Wolf to the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank;
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fixed HQ buildings
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collective training
facilities in the UK and overseas
-
Naval vessels of 20
types including 5 of the Royal Navy’s 6 capital ships; and the
frigate and destroyer fleet;
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Aircraft including
the major helicopter types supporting land operations – Chinook and
Merlin
Deliverables included
approximately 10,000 LAS installations; 3,400 High-Capacity Data
Radios (HCDRs); 41,000 HF and VHF combat radios (of which 30,000 are
VHF); 26,000 computers; and 75,000 trained service personnel.
Commercial Aspects
Around 2,000 prime and sub-contract jobs have been secured across the
UK.
| COMPANIES
INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT |
RACAL
ANTENNAS - Racal
Antennas has underlined its position as one of Europe’s leading
suppliers of military antennas having been selected by General
Dynamics UK to provide antennas for the Bowman contract.
- These include HF Wire/Vehicle, VHF
Vehicle/Elevated, VHF Ground Spike, 5.4 Metre GRP Mast and UHF
Vehicle/Elevated Antennas.
J & S Franklin Ltd - J & S Franklin Ltd provide
the Shelter and Command Post Tents
ULTRA
ELECTRONICS CEMS - Ultra Electronics provide printed
circuit board assembly, racks, wiring and box build
TRL COMPLIANCE LTD - EMC Testing
COMMAND
AND BATTLESPACE MANAGEMENT (LAND) - CIP
The Command and Battlespace Management (Land) initiative will
build upon the BOWMAN foundation, to provide a battle management
system. A Common Battlefield Application Toolset (ComBAT),
Infrastructure (I) and armoured Platform Battlefield Information
System Application (P BISA), commonly known as 'CIP', will be
at its heart.
CIP is three
interrelated projects procured as a single entity:
ComBAT -
ComBAT is a set of common software tools that will enhance
situational awareness at all levels and aid the planning and
control of operations. ComBAT will provide the hub onto which
BISAs will be integrated.
Infrastructure - Building on the Bowman foundation,
Infrastructure will provide the additional hardware and software
computing and information services to enable the concurrent
operation of other battlefield information software applications
(BISAs).
Platform BISA - Platform BISA will provide an
instantiation of ComBAT and DBL Infrastructure into Armoured
Fighting Vehicles, optimising their ‘fightability’ by providing
dedicated terminals for vehicle commanders.
CIP is intended to have a service life of 22 years. Elements of
the system will be replaced and upgraded during the life of the
system in order to maximise the use of emerging technologies and
software developments.
Capability to be replaced
The current mechanism for command and control on the battlefield
is based largely on manual processes for the monitoring and
planning of operations. It relies on the use of hand-written
logs, manual mapboards and hand-drawn overlays. There is only
very limited Communications and Information Systems support
below the Brigade level. Moreover, at the tactical level, there
is no automated command and control support for fighting vehicle
crews.
Project History
A contract was signed with the Bowman prime contractor, General
Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd (GD UK) Ltd, on 20 December 2002.
This solution provides the best value for money option, fully
meeting the requirement, utilising existing knowledge and
experience built up with the Bowman contract.
Current Status
CIP was granted initial acceptance in December 2004 and the MoD,
GD UK and its sub-contractors are working to achieve an
incremental acquisition.
Costs
The value of the contract to cover supply and initial support to
2007/08 will be £330M (VAT inclusive at outturn prices).
Operational Readiness
The Bowman CIP capability currently deployed includes; secure
voice communications, limited situational awareness, limited
ComBAT planning functionality, messaging capability and limited
PBISA functionality.
Quantities
ComBAT software will be supplied to approximately 13,000
computers. Infrastructure will supply more than 2,215 terminals.
PBISA will be fitted to over 1,000 vehicles.
| COMPANIES
INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT |
RACAL
ANTENNAS - Racal
Antennas has underlined its position as one of Europe’s
leading suppliers of military antennas having been selected by
General Dynamics UK to provide antennas for the Bowman contract.
- These include HF
Wire/Vehicle, VHF Vehicle/Elevated, VHF Ground Spike, 5.4 Metre
GRP Mast and UHF Vehicle/Elevated Antennas.
MAKEFAST
MAKEFAST will provide a range
of software tools comprising a comprehensive engineering
planning and control package for the combat engineer role, which
ranges from bridge building through minefield planning and
demolition work. It will be integrated and interoperable with
other information systems within the land component of the
battlefield.
Capability to be replaced
The role of the Royal Engineers is to assist the Land Component
in achieving superiority through mobility, counter-mobility,
survivability and sustainability, and in providing a range of
specialist support services. Currently these engineer tasks are
reliant on manual, labour-intensive and inefficient methods of
working, (broadly unchanged since WW11) that are slow and
resource intensive and thus incompatible with the aim of Land
Digitization.
Project History
A contract was signed with Thales Communications UK on 27
February 2004.
Current Status
The MOD and Thales Communications UK are working effectively to
achieve the target ISD with the Factory Acceptance Test being
completed in 2006. The application will then be made available
to the JSIB ready for integration testing prior to Operational
Field Trials.
Costs
Under the £3M contract, Thales will design and develop MAKEFAST,
support its integration, fielding and user trials. In-service
support will be provided for the first 5 years.
In-Service date (ISD)
The target in service date is late 2007 and will be achieved
when an Engineer Regiment has MAKEFAST installed on Bowman
supplied data terminals, all relevant personnel fully trained
and supported by user documentation for employment cross the
spectrum of military operations.
Operational Readiness
As MAKEFAST's ISD is defined as a readiness for employment
across the spectrum of military operations, the ISD and
Operational Readiness Date are coincident.
Major Milestones - Release of MAKEFAST to the Joint
Systems Integration Body for system of system integration –
September 2005
MAKEFAST target in service date is tied up with the Operational
Field Trial 3 scheduled for October 2007. An Acceptance and
Fielding decision will be made in December 2007.
Quantities - MAKEFAST is not a single item but a system
that supplies capability to a large number of users. A single
operator or a multiple number can use MAKEFAST.
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ALLIED RAPID REACTION
CORP – COMMAND CONTROL AND INFORMATION SYSTEM
This will provide for the
development and delivery of the replacement Allied Rapid
Reaction Corp – Command Control and Information System (ARRC
C2IS).
The mission of HQ ARRC is to
support UK, NATO, EU or coalition forces in multiple roles as a
Corps HQ, a Land Component HQ or as a Joint Task Force HQ for
land-centric operations.
ARRC C2IS is being developed to improve the operational
effectiveness of HQ ARRCs current Command Information System
(CIS) and will interface with a wide range of information
systems within the NATO environments. ARRC C2IS will have the
ability to operate in multiple security domains and it is
intended that this will exploit multinational/NATO legacy
applications. It will form the core of the HQ ARRC’s improved
Out of Barracks Information System (OBIS) and it will be
developed to utilise both current and future communications
network technologies to enhance information exchange
capabilities both, internally with the deployed HQ and
externally with dispersed field locations.
Project History
The ARRC C2IS Assessment Phase contract, valued at £767k, was
undertaken by Thales. A contract for the design, development,
supply and initial support was placed with Thales UK Ltd on 10th
August 2006 for a value of £18.3m (ex VAT).
Current Status
The MOD and Thales UK are working effectively to achieve the
ISD.
Costs
Under the £18.3M contract, Thales will provide a phased delivery
programme from August 2006 to the end of 2008 and support
continuing for a further five years.
In-Service date (ISD)
ISD will be achieved when HQ ARRC, when deployed, can use ARRC
C2IS in a way that it contributes to improvements in HQ ARRC’s
operational effectiveness.
Operational Readiness
The ISD and Operational Readiness Date are coincident. The
system will not be deemed operational until HQ ARRC deploys and
that date is unknown.
Major Milestones
The ARRC C2IS target dates are:
Quantities
ARRC C2IS is not a single item but a system that supplies
capability to a large number of users.
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